The Joint Appropriations Subcommittee on Education voted unanimously to adopt fixed-cost rates for the Montana State Library’s Natural Resource Information System (NRIS) for the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years. Representative Barker moved the motion; the committee approved the rates by voice vote with proxies recorded for absent senators.

The motion, moved by Representative Barker, asked the committee to “adopt the fixed cost for the Montana State Library Natural Resource Information and GRAMA estimated FY2026 appropriation and estimated FY2027 appropriation.” Chair Beatty called for a voice vote; members in the room voted aye and several absent members were recorded as voting aye by proxy, including Senator Fuller and Senator Windy Boy. A proxy for Senator Regier was held and also recorded as aye. The clerk was asked to prepare proxy forms for signatures from absent colleagues.

No discussion on the motion was recorded in the transcript beyond the roll call and procedural handling of proxies. The committee then moved on to its scheduled budget hearings for the Office of Public Instruction.

The vote completes the committee’s executive action on the NRIS fixed-cost rates; the record shows the motion passed unanimously and the committee directed the clerk to finalize proxy paperwork.